Schneider TM * Skoda Mluvit (City Slang) May 1 UKIt certainly starts with a whimper, unlike the kickass "Reality Check" intro to
Zoomer. Overall it's a little more diverse and acoustic, while incorporating interesting African rhythms. It needs to sink in, but it's nice so far.
Tool * 10,000 Days (Volcano) May 2
I was a latecomer. In the 90s I wrote 'em off as just another mook metal band. Friends helped change my mind, and I enjoy 'em enough, though I don't listen often. It starts out pretty rockin, with some cool proggy effects as usual. The songwriting sounds more focused than Lateralus, but with some great wacky, mystical lyrics. But halfway through, the riffs and vocals evaporate, leaving only meandering soundscapes. Yep, Maynerd's gone Eno on us. I'll have to listen more, but it's not nearly as interesting as, say, the stuff on Low or Another Green World. Many of his *rawk* fans will be pissed I'm sure, heh heh.
The Ranconteurs * Broken Boy Soldiers (XL) May 16
This is a little side-project supergroup with Jack White and Brendan Benson. Not a bad little album, with heavy percussion and a 70s British rock sound. The vocalists tend to wail, and the guitars are just as apt to drone as riff. The songs that really jump out are "Broken Boy Soldier" and the slow-building "Intimate Secretary" that sounds like a lost Small Faces (circa 1966) classic. A couple times the riffs are interrupted by a drilling *dink dink dink dink*. I don't know why it seems so awesome, but it is.
Mission of Burma * The Obliterati (Matador) May 23
It was astonishing enough that Mission Of Burma could come back after 21 years apart and make a truly excellent album that sounded like a true progression from their 1982's Vs. Now just two years after OnOffOn, they've done it again. This time they pick up on the melodicism they haven't touched since 1981's Signals, Calls and Marches EP. The sound is still thick, muscular and noisy, but some are nearly downright catchy. See "Man In Decline." There's some eerie abstraction, but when it breaks out into a chorus, I swear it could be a radio hit!
The Futureheads * News And Tributes (679) May 29 UK
I've been anticipating this, even though I didn't think their album was all that great. Based on a couple great singles, I figure they have potential. The songwriting is more consistent on this one, but I'm not sure I hear anything as exciting as their "Hounds of Love" cover. There's more texture and variety. The first album often gave me a caffeine headache.
Sonic Youth * Rather Ripped (Geffen) Jun 13
I can't say I haven't been at least slightly disappointed by any of their albums since Daydream Nation. That's 18 years of disappointment. Having resigned myself to the fact that they will never rock they way they used to, I still enjoy parts of each new effort. This time, Jim O'Rourke has left the band and they've returned to a subtly looser sound. The differences are hard to notice though. Some songs are pretty, some are spooky, and they never rock.
TV On The Radio * Return To Cookie Mountain (Touch & Go?) June
With my favorite album of 2004, TV On The Radio are carrying a lot of hope and expectations. I'm not going to give a final verdict until I have the actual CD in hand, but I'm both disappointed and impressed. I feel it's a little short on melody and energy. On the other hand, the haunting vocal harmonies that are often almost chanted are a unique sound, as if they're creating a new gospel for the 21st century. Amazing lyrics too.
― Fastnbulbous (Fastnbulbous), Friday, 28 April 2006 20:09 (twenty years ago)
Thanks for the mini reviews Fast. I happened to be listening to other stuff that is coming out in May. Such as the Charlatans (good), Gomez (great), Dirty Pretty Things (interested), Grandaddy (OK), Stills good), Twilight Singers (good so far), and Roger Sanchez.
― BeeOK (boo radley), Saturday, 29 April 2006 06:16 (twenty years ago)
Great, tell us more if you get the chance.
I forgot about Stills, I did hear that too. I was interested after their first album, but I'm disappointed that they're leaning more toward the Coldplay/Elbow path. I guess they're decent at that sort of thing if you're not burned out on it.
― Fastnbulbous (Fastnbulbous), Saturday, 29 April 2006 15:29 (twenty years ago)
I really, really like that Dirty PRetty Things Album.
The Raconteurs is really good, but the Brendan Benson songs are a little too brendon benson-y for my liking, featuring a cool jack white part that should have been the main parts of the songs in question. Anyway, good album.
The first song off the TV on the Radio is mindblowing, and easily one of their best. However, the rest of the album just doesn't hold up, and just sort of blends into itself. Too bad.
― Erock LAzron, Saturday, 29 April 2006 18:45 (twenty years ago)
The new Twilight Singers is seconded. Dulli ventures furthest away from New Orleans and soul music since the Afghan's "Gentlemen" and offers a straight rock record. And his "black love" style, which while admirable and sometimes good, got a little annoying eventually. The new one just hits you immediately with the hooks.
It's already out, but I just got the Streets new one yesterday. AFter one listen, I think it's a slight step down, but still good.
Am interested in the Stills, but have to admit that the only song still on my iPod from their debut is "Lola".
Love TVOTR's concept more than the execution but will probably be interested in this.
Recently bought up a bunch of Brendan Benson stuff on eMusic, and was slightly disappointed after what I'd heard. I'm a power pop nut, and a lot of his stuff just doesn't have the hooks to stand up to the greatest. That said, the Raconteurs is probably on my must list.
― Matt Carlson (mattsoncarlhew), Sunday, 30 April 2006 13:06 (twenty years ago)